Paint skimmer



S. B. JONES PAINT SKIMMER Feb. 6, 1940..-

Filed Dec. 21, 1938 Mrenzor Sherman 5. Jonas 5/ WWM Patented Feb. 6,1940 UNITED STATES PAINT SKIMIVIER Sherman B. Jones, Elbert County,Colo. Application December 21, 1938, Serial No. 247,112

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in paint skimmersand hasreference to a ladle-like screen for use in straining paint and forremoving oxidized film from paint that has been exposed to the air.

It is well known that after a can of paint has been opened and exposedto the air, the linseed oil present therein will begin to oxidize andform a thin coat over the paint which must be removed before it can beused.

It also frequently happens that undissolved particles are present in thepaint which would prevent the painted surface. from becoming smooth, ifthey are not'removcd, and this device is useful for the purpose ofstraining paint to remove such particles.

This invention, briefly described, consists of v a wire handle havingone end provided. with tines extending at an angle to the handle and towhich a wire cloth or screen is attached. The plane of the tines asabove indicated, is inclined at an angle to the handle so as tofacilitate the skimming and straining operation and the screen isattached along three sides to the frame thus produced.

Having thus briefly described the invention, the same will now bedescribed in detail and for this purpose reference will be had to theaccompanying drawing in which the invention has been illustrated, and inwhich:

Figure 1 is a view showing a paint can, partly broken away, and showsthe skimmer in operative position therein;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the skimmer looking in the direction ofarrow 2. Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a front elevation looking in the direction of arrow 3, inFigure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan View looking downwardly in the direction of arrow 4,Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a perspective view; and

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6-6, Figure 5.

In the drawing reference numeral 1 designates an ordinary gallon paintcan and 8 the paint contained therein. For the purpose of illustra tion,a portion of the wall has been broken away to showthe level of the paintwhose upper surface is designated by reference numeral 9. The skimmerwhich forms the subject of this invention is shown in position in thecan and has been indicated in its entirety by reference numeral ID. Theskimmer consists of a combination frame and handle formed from wirebentdouble at its middle point. The bight comprising the two sides IIform the handle portion and is downwardly tapered until the sides comein contact at the point 12, where they are secured together by anysuitable means such as a clip [3. Below the clip 13, the ends of thewire are bent 60 outwardly preferably through an angle of substantially90 degrees as indicated at I4 and thence forwardly through an equalangle as indicated at I5. The plane of the arms l5 forms an angle ofsomewhat more than ninety degrees with the plane of the handle in themanner shown in Figure 2. The extreme ends of the arms I5 are bentoutwardly'as shown at 16 and form hooks that serve to hold the screenfrom slipping from the frame. The screen has been designated byreference numeral i1 and may be formed from woven wire of any suitablemesh. The screen usually employed is of the type used for screen doorsand for window screens, but a larger mesh can be used whenever desired.The

screen is preferably folded about the arms i5 in the manner indicated inFigure 6 and the edges are bent inwardly and secured to the screenportion by means of staples 18 so as to form hems for the reception ofarms l5. The screen may also overlap the side M. In either case theoutwardly extendingends Iii formhocks that prevent the screen fromsliding from the arms.

Attention is called to the" fact that the screen is secured to thesp'acedparallel side 15 of the frame so that its inclination withrespect to the handle can be maintained at any desired degree. Applicantis aware that devices generally re ferred to as fiy swatters have beenmade which resemble this device in a general way, but in which thescreen is attached in such a way that it can flex readily when in use.Such a device is not suitable for the purposes here under consideration,as for this purpose it is necessary to have the screen held quiterigidly in order that the skimming operation and straining operation canbe properly effected and this is effected by having sides 15 extendbeyond the end of the screen. I

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is: h e

A paint skimmer comprising a combined handle and frame formed from awire bent double at its middle point, the bight forming the handle,means for connecting the two wires some distance from their ends, theends of the wires being bent in opposite directions through an angle ofsubstantially 90 degrees into substantial alignment to form one side ofa screen supporting frame, the wires being then bent forwardly throughan angle of substantially 90 degrees into substantial parallelism toform the other two sides of a three sided frame, a screen havingopposite edges provided with henis for the reception of the parallelsides of the frame, the screen being shorter than the parallel sideswhereby the ends of the latter will project beyond the screen, the endsof the frame sides being bent outwardly to form hooks that hold thescreen from accidental removal.

SHERMAN B. JONES.

